A new recycling system for expanded polystyrene using a natural solvent. Part 1. A new recycling technique

Upcycling aromatic polymers through C–H fluoroalkylation

“…Following the successful C–H fluoroalkylation of structurally diverse polymer substrates, the functionalization of post-industrial and post-consumer plastic waste was tested. Polystyrene was selected as a substrate for these studies due to the difficulties in recycling EPS foam 10–12. Post-industrial EPS foam waste with a M n of 71 kg mol –1 and Đ of 2.92 generated as a by-product during production of foam packaging was procured.…”

Recycling of thermoplastic polystyrene waste using citrus peel extract for oil spill remediation

“…An aromatic compound d-limonene, constituting about 93-95% of orange oil, 10 is a widely used natural solvent for PS dissolution. 13,14 The solubility of extruded PS is reported to be 0.26 g/mL in d-limonene. 15 Interestingly, we found that the maximum solubility of EPS in top layer of primary extract is 2.1 g/mL, almost ten times of that in pure d-limonene.…”

“…An aromatic compound d‐ limonene, constituting about 93–95% of orange oil, is a widely used natural solvent for PS dissolution . The solubility of extruded PS is reported to be 0.26 g/mL in d‐ limonene .…”

Recycling of Expanded Polystyrene Using Natural Solvents

“…Most terpenes have C=C groups that inhibit PS from oxidative decomposition by self-oxidation of the C=C groups. The PS recycled from limonene solutions has almost the same elastic modulus and glass transition temperature [8], indicating that it retains original mechanical properties.…”